Australia, G20 are worst offenders on emissions: Oxfam

The news: Australia's per capita emissions are three-times higher than what is required to avoid catastrophic climate change, and G20 emissions are twice as high as required, according to an analysis from charity group Oxfam.

The numbers: G20 nations are responsible for 78% of global greenhouse emissions, Oxfam said, and under current emissions reduction targets they will be doubling the emissions per capita required to keep global warming under 1.5C. According to UNFCCC figures, global emissions will likely increase by 10.6% by 2030, instead of the 45% reduction required to achieve less than 1.5C.

The context: Participating nations will publish new emissions reduction goals at the UN Climate Summit COP28 in Dubai in November.

That they said: "With less than three months to go before new carbon pollution reduction pledges are published, we call out Australia and other G20 countries for their failure of ambition and action. Unless we all substantially improve our pledges, we are effectively spelling ‘surrender’ in the face of the existential crisis of our times,” Oxfam Australia’s Melissa Bungcaras said in a statement.